C# The else Statement

Welcome back to The Coding College! In this tutorial, we’ll explore the else statement in C#—a critical part of conditional programming. By the end of this post, you’ll:

  • Understand the purpose of the else statement.
  • Learn the syntax for using if...else.
  • See practical examples to apply else statements in real-world programs.

For more coding tutorials, visit The Coding College. Let’s dive in!

What is the else Statement?

The else statement in C# allows you to execute a block of code when the condition in the if statement evaluates to false.

Key Points:

  • The else block follows an if condition.
  • It is executed only if the if condition is false.

Syntax of if…else

if (condition)
{
    // Code to execute if condition is true
}
else
{
    // Code to execute if condition is false
}

How Does the else Statement Work?

  1. The program checks the condition in the if statement.
  2. If the condition is true, the code inside the if block runs, and the else block is ignored.
  3. If the condition is false, the code inside the else block runs instead.

Example 1: Simple If…Else Statement

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        int temperature = 15;

        if (temperature >= 20)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("The weather is warm.");
        }
        else
        {
            Console.WriteLine("The weather is cold.");
        }
    }
}

Output:

The weather is cold.

Explanation:

  • The condition temperature >= 20 is false since the temperature is 15.
  • The else block is executed, printing “The weather is cold.”

Example 2: Check Even or Odd Numbers

Let’s use if...else to determine if a number is even or odd.

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        int number = 7;

        if (number % 2 == 0)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("The number is even.");
        }
        else
        {
            Console.WriteLine("The number is odd.");
        }
    }
}

Output:

The number is odd.

Explanation:

  • The condition number % 2 == 0 checks if the number is divisible by 2.
  • Since 7 is not divisible by 2, the else block runs and prints “The number is odd.”

Example 3: Voting Eligibility

Let’s check if a person is eligible to vote using an age condition.

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        int age = 16;

        if (age >= 18)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("You are eligible to vote.");
        }
        else
        {
            Console.WriteLine("You are not eligible to vote.");
        }
    }
}

Output:

You are not eligible to vote.

Explanation:

  • The condition age >= 18 is false because the age is 16.
  • The else block runs, informing the user they are not eligible to vote.

Example 4: Grading System with If…Else

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        int marks = 40;

        if (marks >= 50)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Congratulations! You passed the exam.");
        }
        else
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Sorry, you failed the exam. Better luck next time.");
        }
    }
}

Output:

Sorry, you failed the exam. Better luck next time.

Explanation:

  • The condition marks >= 50 is false because the marks are 40.
  • The else block runs, displaying the failure message.

Nested If…Else with else Statement

You can use else statements with nested if statements to check more complex conditions.

Example: Age and Driving Eligibility

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        int age = 20;
        bool hasLicense = true;

        if (age >= 18)
        {
            if (hasLicense)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("You are allowed to drive.");
            }
            else
            {
                Console.WriteLine("You need a driving license to drive.");
            }
        }
        else
        {
            Console.WriteLine("You are too young to drive.");
        }
    }
}

Output:

You are allowed to drive.

Explanation:

  • The outer if checks if age >= 18.
  • The inner if checks if the person has a license.
  • If both conditions are true, the message “You are allowed to drive” is printed.

Key Benefits of Using else Statements

  1. Improves Code Flow: Enables programs to handle different scenarios efficiently.
  2. Error Handling: Helps handle cases where the main condition is false.
  3. Clear Logic: Makes code easier to understand and debug.

Best Practices for Using else Statements

  • Always write clean, readable conditions.
  • Avoid overly complex nested if...else statements.
  • Use logical operators to combine conditions when necessary.

Conclusion

The else statement in C# allows you to define alternative actions when a condition in the if block evaluates to false. By mastering if...else, you can write clear and efficient programs that handle decision-making smoothly.

Keep practicing these examples and experiment with your own conditions!

For more tutorials, tips, and coding resources, visit The Coding College. Stay tuned for the next tutorial! 🚀

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